Methods for dynamically generating an application interface for a modeled entity and devices thereof

ABSTRACT

This technology generates a plurality of instances of things each including a dynamically generated interface structure and services associated with and properties of the corresponding one of the things. The services associated with and the properties of one of the plurality of instances of things for a selected one of the plurality of instances of things are retrieved and provided. A service definition for a selected one of the services is retrieved and provided based on the retrieved and provided services associated with and properties for the selected one of the plurality of instances of things. A requested consumption call for the selected one of the services is executed based on the retrieved service definition. A defined result set for the executed consumption call is provided in the dynamically generated interface structure associated with the requested one of the plurality of instances of things.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/560,371 filed Nov. 16, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This technology relates to methods for generating a dynamic representational state of a thing and devices thereof.

BACKGROUND

Most software applications allow a user or developer to manipulate data within the application. Accordingly, existing technologies have developed design tools to assist application software developer in designing an application interface.

Unfortunately, existing interface development technologies and designs have not kept pace with the increasing demand for interfaces. For example, the existing interface development technologies are not equipped to address current conditions, such as rapidly changing data sets which are accessible in different manners, at different locations and in different formats. Attempts with existing interface development technologies to provide self service capability have been limited to previously designed semantic models. Further, many of these design tools require specialized training to be able to use them to develop an application interface.

To meet these increased demands for interfaces, developers of these interfaces need all the required information for the application interface to be easily and readily available. Additionally, developers of these interfaces need to be able quickly obtain and understand all of the relationships that exist within the application.

SUMMARY

A method for generating a dynamic representational state of a thing includes generating by a data management computing apparatus a plurality of instances of things. Each of the instances of things comprises a dynamically generated interface structure and one or more services associated with and one or more properties of the corresponding one of the things. The one or more services associated with and the one or more properties of one of the plurality of instances of things for a selected one of the plurality of instances of things are retrieved and provided by the data management computing apparatus. A service definition for a selected one of the one or more services is retrieved and provided by the data management computing apparatus based on the retrieved and provided one or more services associated with and one or more properties for the selected one of the plurality of instances of things. A requested consumption call for the selected one of the services is executed by the data management computing apparatus based on the retrieved service definition. A defined result set for the executed consumption call is provided by the data management computing apparatus in the dynamically generated interface structure associated with the requested one of the plurality of instances of things.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for generating a dynamic representational state of a thing comprising machine executable code which when executed by at least one processor, causes the processor to perform steps including generating a plurality of instances of things. Each of the instances of things comprises a dynamically generated interface structure and one or more services associated with and one or more properties of the corresponding one of the things. The one or more services associated with and the one or more properties of one of the plurality of instances of things for a selected one of the plurality of instances of things are retrieved and provided. A service definition for a selected one of the one or more services is retrieved and provided based on the retrieved and provided one or more services associated with and one or more properties for the selected one of the plurality of instances of things. A requested consumption call for the selected one of the services is executed based on the retrieved service definition. A defined result set for the executed consumption call is provided in the dynamically generated interface structure associated with the requested one of the plurality of instances of things.

A data management computing apparatus comprising one or more processors, a memory coupled to the one or more processors which are configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory includes generating a plurality of instances of things. Each of the instances of things comprises a dynamically generated interface structure and one or more services associated with and one or more properties of the corresponding one of the things. The one or more services associated with and the one or more properties of one of the plurality of instances of things for a selected one of the plurality of instances of things are retrieved and provided. A service definition for a selected one of the one or more services is retrieved and provided based on the retrieved and provided one or more services associated with and one or more properties for the selected one of the plurality of instances of things. A requested consumption call for the selected one of the services is executed based on the retrieved service definition. A defined result set for the executed consumption call is provided in the dynamically generated interface structure associated with the requested one of the plurality of instances of things.

Accordingly, this technology provides a number of advantages including providing methods, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatuses that more easily and effectively generate and provide through an interface a dynamic representational state of a thing. With this technology all of the interrelationships which exist in the dynamic representational state information are easily and readily available. Additionally, with this technology no specialized training is required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary network environment which comprises a data management computing apparatus for generating and providing through an interface a dynamic representational state of a thing;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for dynamically generating one or more of a plurality of instances of things; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for generating and providing through an interface a dynamic representational state of a thing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary environment 10 with a data management computing apparatus 14 that generates and provides through an interface a dynamic representational state of a thing is illustrated in FIG. 1. In this particular example, the environment 10 includes a data management computing apparatus 14, a plurality of consumer computing device 12, and a plurality of data servers 16 which are coupled together by the Local Area Network (LAN) 28 and Wide Area Network (WAN) 30, although the environment 10 can include other types and numbers of devices, components, elements and communication networks in other topologies and deployments. While not shown, the exemplary environment 10 may include additional components, such as routers, switches and other devices which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and thus will not be described here. This technology provides a number of advantages including providing methods, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatuses that more easily and effectively generate and provide through an interface a dynamic representational state of a thing.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 1, the data management computing apparatus 14 provides a number of functions including generating a dynamic representational state of a thing, although other numbers and types of systems can be used and other numbers and types of functions can be performed. The data management computing apparatus 14 includes at least one processor 18, memory 20, input and display devices 22, and interface device 24 which are coupled together by bus 26, although data management computing apparatus 14 may comprise other types and numbers of elements in other configurations.

Processor(s) 18 may execute one or more computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 20 for the methods illustrated and described with reference to the examples herein, although the processor(s) can execute other types and numbers of instructions and perform other types and numbers of operations. The processor(s) 18 may comprise one or more central processing units (“CPUs”) or general purpose processors with one or more processing cores, such as AMD® processor(s), although other types of processor(s) could be used (e.g., Intel®).

Memory 20 may comprise one or more tangible storage media, such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, CD-ROM, floppy disk, hard disk drive(s), solid state memory, DVD, or any other memory storage types or devices, including combinations thereof, which are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Memory 20 may store one or more non-transitory computer-readable instructions of this technology as illustrated and described with reference to the examples herein that may be executed by the one or more processor(s) 18. The flow chart shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is representative of example steps or actions of this technology that may be embodied or expressed as one or more non-transitory computer or machine readable instructions stored in memory 20 that may be executed by the processor(s) 18.

Input and display devices 22 enable a user, such as an administrator, to interact with the data management computing apparatus 14, such as to input and/or view data and/or to configure, program and/or operate it by way of example only. Input devices may include a touch screen, keyboard and/or a computer mouse and display devices may include a computer monitor, although other types and numbers of input devices and display devices could be used. Additionally, the input and display devices 22 can be used by the user, such as an administrator to develop applications using an application interface.

The interface device 24 in the data management computing apparatus 14 is used to operatively couple and communicate between the data management computing apparatus 14, the client computing device 12, and the plurality of data servers which are all coupled together by LAN 28 and WAN 30. By way of example only, the interface device 24 can use TCP/IP over Ethernet and industry-standard protocols, including NFS, CIFS, SOAP, XML, LDAP, and SNMP although other types and numbers of communication protocols can be used.

Each of the consumer computing devices 12 includes a central processing unit (CPU) or processor, a memory, an interface device, and an I/O system, which are coupled together by a bus or other link, although other numbers and types of network devices could be used. Each of the consumer computing devices 12 communicates with the data management computing apparatus 14 through LAN 28, although the consumer computing devices 12 can interact with the data management computing apparatus 14 by any other means. The consumer computing device 12 utilizes the dynamically generated interface provided by the data management computing apparatus 14 to access modeled data and other information from one or more data servers 16.

Each of the plurality of data servers 16 includes a central processing unit (CPU) or processor, a memory, an interface device, and an I/O system, which are coupled together by a bus or other link, although other numbers and types of network devices could be used. Each of the plurality of data servers 16 enters, updates and/or store content, such as files and directories, although other numbers and types of functions can be implemented and other types and amounts of data could be entered, updated, or stored used. Each of the plurality of data servers 16 may include by way of example only, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, portals and related technologies, traditional business intelligence systems and manufacturing intelligence systems.

Although an exemplary environment 10 with the consumer computing devices 12, the data management computing apparatus 14 and the plurality of data servers 16 are described and illustrated herein, other types and numbers of systems, devices in other topologies can be used. It is to be understood that the systems of the examples described herein are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware and software used to implement the examples are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).

In addition, two or more computing systems or devices can be substituted for any one of the systems or devices in any example. Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy and replication also can be implemented, as desired, to increase the robustness and performance of the devices and systems of the examples. The examples may also be implemented on computer system(s) that extend across any suitable network using any suitable interface mechanisms and traffic technologies, including by way of example only teletraffic in any suitable form (e.g., voice and modem), wireless traffic media, wireless traffic networks, cellular traffic networks, 3G traffic networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, and combinations thereof.

Furthermore, each of the systems of the examples may be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, and micro-controllers, programmed according to the teachings of the examples, as described and illustrated herein, and as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The examples may also be embodied as a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for one or more aspects of the technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein, which when executed by a processor (or configurable hardware), cause the processor to carry out the steps necessary to implement the methods of the examples, as described and illustrated herein.

An exemplary method for dynamically generating one or more of a plurality of instances of things will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-2. In step 201, the data management computing apparatus 14 receives a request to generate one or more of a plurality of instances of things from a consumer computing device 12, although this process can be initiated in other manners, such as by the data management computing apparatus 14.

Next, in step 205 the data management computing apparatus 14 obtains a defined shape for a modeled entity which is referred to in this patent application as a thing, from the requesting consumer computing device 12, although the data management computing apparatus 14 may obtain the defined shape from other sources, such as from one of the plurality of data servers 16 by way of example only. In these examples, a thing refers to people, apparatuses, systems, electronic or mechanical devices, components or other elements which are projections of real world equivalents containing sets of data, services, events, historical activities, collaboration, relationships and user interfaces that define it and its place in the real world. Additionally, in these examples shape refers to attributes of the thing which is being generated, such as events, service definitions, or services and subscriptions offered by the thing.

In step 210, the data management computing apparatus 14 stores the obtained defined shapes for the thing in memory 20 in one or more graph databases and indexes, although the data management computing apparatus 14 can store the obtained defined shapes for the thing at a different memory location, such as at one of the plurality of data servers 16 by way of example only. Additionally, in this technology, the data management computing apparatus 14 assigns tags to the obtained defined shape of the thing while storing the obtained defined shape and further stores the assigned tag and the exact memory location in the indexes present within the memory 20. By assigning tags and storing the obtained definition in the memory 20 and by using the indexes, the technology illustrated in this application provides rapid retrieval of the stored information.

In step 215, the data management computing apparatus 14 obtains a defined template from the requesting consumer computing device 12, although the data management computing apparatus 14 can obtain the defined template from other sources, such as from one of the plurality of data servers 16.

In step 220, the data management computing apparatus 14 stores the defined template using techniques as illustrated in step 210.

In step 225, the data management computing apparatus 14 generates an application interface structure for the instance of the thing based on the defined shape, the defined template and the properties and services of the thing. The generated application interface structure for the thing also includes service definitions which can be obtained from one or more of the plurality of data servers 16, although the generated application interface can include other types and amounts of information relating to the thing.

In step 230, the data management computing apparatus 14 stores the instance of the thing with the generated application interface structure, the service definitions, list of all properties and services offered by the thing, the defined shape and the defined template. This exemplary method can be repeated to generate additional instance of things in the exemplary manner described herein and then ends in step 235. By following the above exemplary steps to generate an application interface structure, this technology assists developers to build and deploy operational interface structures which are more dynamic and easier to use and navigate in less time than was possible with prior approaches.

An exemplary method for generating and providing through an interface a dynamic representational state of a thing will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. In step 305 the data management computing apparatus 14 receives a request from a consumer computing device 12 for a list of things, although the data management computing apparatus 14 can receive any other types and numbers of requests from the consumer computing device 12. Next, in step 310 the data management computing apparatus 14 obtains the list of things from memory 20, although data management computing apparatus 14 can obtain the list of things from other sources and in other manners. Next, in step 315 the data management computing apparatus 14 provides the obtained list of things to the requesting consumer computing device 12.

In step 320, the data management computing apparatus 14 receives another request from the consumer computing device 12 for the services and properties of the previously requested thing based on a selection of the one thing instances from the previously provided list. Next, in step 325, the data management computing apparatus 14 obtains the properties and services associated with the requested thing from the stored instance of the thing in memory 20, although the properties and services associated with the requested thing could be obtained from other sources in other manners. Next, in step 330, the data management computing apparatus 14 provides the obtained properties and services associated with the requested thing to the requesting consumer computing device 12.

In step 335, the data management computing apparatus 14 receives another request from the consumer computing device 12 for a particular service definition for one of the previously provided services in the instance of the thing associated with the requested thing. Next, in step 340, the data management computing apparatus 14 obtains the service definition for the requested service from memory 20, although the service definition could be obtained from other sources in other manners. Next, in step 345 the data management computing apparatus 14 provides the service definition to the requesting consumer computing device 12 using techniques illustrated in step 310.

In step 350, the data management computing apparatus 14 receives a request to execute a consumption call for the thing relating to the previously provided service definition from the consumer computing device 12. Next, in step 355 the data management computing apparatus 14 executes the requested consumption call for the service definition associated with a service of the requested thing, although other types and numbers of functions could be executed.

In step 360, upon executing the consumption call, the data management computing apparatus 14 provides the defined result set for the executed consumption call in the dynamically generated interface structure associated with the requested one of the plurality of instances of things to the requesting one of the consumer computing device 12. Next, the steps above can be repeated again in response to another request, otherwise this exemplary method ends in step 365.

Accordingly, as illustrated and described with the examples herein this technology provides methods, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatuses that more easily and effectively generate and provide through an interface a dynamic representational state of a thing. With this technology all of the interrelationships which exist in the dynamic representational state information are easily and readily available. Additionally, with this technology no specialized training is required.

Having thus described the basic concept of this technology, it will be rather apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of this technology. Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, this technology is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for generating a dynamic representational state of a thing, the method comprising: generating by a data management computing apparatus a plurality of instances of things, each of the instances of things comprising a dynamically generated interface structure and one or more services associated with, and one or more properties of, a corresponding thing; retrieving and providing by the data management computing apparatus the one or more services associated with, and the one or more properties of, a selected one of the plurality of instances of things; retrieving and providing by the data management computing apparatus a service definition for a selected one of the one or more services based on the retrieved and provided one or more services associated with, and one or more properties for, the selected one of the plurality of instances of things; executing by the data management computing apparatus a requested consumption call for the selected one of the one or more services based on the retrieved service definition; and providing by the data management computing apparatus a defined result set for the executed consumption call in the dynamically generated interface structure associated with the requested one of the plurality of instances of things, wherein the generating the plurality of instances of things comprises: receiving by the data management computing apparatus the one or more services and the one or more properties associated with each of the generated plurality of instances of things; and persisting by the data management computing apparatus each of the generated plurality of instances of things with the corresponding received one or more services and the one or more properties; wherein the generating the plurality of instances of things comprises: receiving by the data management computing apparatus a defined shape for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; receiving by the data management computing apparatus a defined template for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; generating by the data management computing apparatus the dynamically generated interface structure based on the received defined shape, the received defined template and the received one or more properties for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; and persisting by the data management computing apparatus the dynamically generated interface structure for each of the generated plurality of instances of things.
 2. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: providing by the data management computing apparatus a list of the generated plurality of instances of things; and receiving by the data management computing apparatus a selection of the one of the generated plurality of instances of things.
 3. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions, for generating a dynamic representational state of a thing, comprising machine executable code, which when executed by at least one processor, causes the processor to perform steps comprising: generating a plurality of instances of things, each of the instances of things comprising a dynamically generated interface structure and one or more services associated with and one or more properties of, a corresponding thing; retrieving and providing the one or more services associated with, and the one or more properties, for a selected one of the plurality of instances of things; retrieving and providing a service definition for a selected one of the one or more services based on the retrieved and provided one or more services associated with and one or more properties for, the selected one of the plurality of instances of things; executing a requested consumption call for the selected one of the one or more services based on the retrieved service definition; and providing a defined result set for the executed consumption call in the dynamically generated interface structure associated with the requested one of the plurality of instances of things, wherein the instructions comprises machine executable code, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the processor to perform steps comprising: receiving the one or more services and the one or more properties associated with each of the generated plurality of instances of things; and persisting each of the generated plurality of instances of things with the corresponding received one or more services and the one or more properties; wherein the instructions comprises machine executable code, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the processor to perform steps comprising: receiving a defined shape for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; receiving a defined template for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; generating the dynamically generated interface structure based on the received defined shape, the received defined template and the received one or more properties for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; and persisting the dynamically generated interface structure for each of the generated plurality of instances of things.
 4. The medium as set forth in claim 3, wherein the instructions comprise machine executable code, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the processor to perform steps comprising: providing a list of the generated plurality of instances of things; and receiving a selection of the one of the generated plurality of instances of things.
 5. A data management computing apparatus comprising: one or more processors; a memory coupled to the one or more processors which are configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory for performing steps comprising: generating a plurality of instances of things, each of the instances of things comprising a dynamically generated interface structure and one or more services associated with, and one or more properties of, a corresponding thing; retrieving and providing the one or more services associated with, and the one or more properties of, for a selected one of the plurality of instances of things; retrieving and providing a service definition for a selected one of the one or more services based on the retrieved and provided one or more services associated with and one or more properties for, the selected one of the plurality of instances of things; executing a requested consumption call for the selected one of the one or more services based on the retrieved service definition; and providing a defined result set for the executed consumption call in the dynamically generated interface structure associated with the requested one of the plurality of instances of things, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory for the generating the plurality of instances of things comprising: receiving the one or more services and the one or more properties associated with each of the generated plurality of instances of things; and persisting each of the generated plurality of instances of things with the corresponding received one or more services and the one or more properties; wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory for the generating the plurality of instances of things comprising: receiving a defined shape for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; receiving a defined template for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; generating the dynamically generated interface structure based on the received defined shape, the received defined template and the received one or more properties for each of the generated plurality of instances of things; and persisting the dynamically generated interface structure for each of the generated plurality of instances of things.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory to perform steps comprising: providing a list of the generated plurality of instances of things; and receiving a selection of the one of the generated plurality of instances of things. 